title: Assessment of cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study was conducted to assess the sympathovagal balance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using short-term heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and conventional autonomic function tests (CAFT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one newly diagnosed patients with PCOS and 30 age-matched controls were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), waist : hip ratio (WHR), cardiovascular parameters such as basal heart rate (BHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and rate-pressure product (RPP), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured in both groups. Cardiovascular autonomic functions assessed were spectral analysis of HRV, heart rate and blood pressure response to standing (30:15 ratio), deep breathing (E:I ratio) and isometric handgrip (ΔDBP(ihg)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cases had significantly increased BMI, WHR, BHR, SBP, DBP and RPP. Ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power of HRV (LF-HF ratio), the marker of sympathovagal balance was significantly increased in cases compared to controls. Time-domain indices of HRV and E:I ratio were decreased, and 30:15 ratio, ΔDBP(ihg) and FBG were increased in cases. Though there was a significant correlation of LF-HF ratio with BMI, WHR, BHR, RPP and FBG, only BHR and RPP had independent contribution to LF-HF ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that PCOS patients have altered autonomic modulation in the form of increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic reactivity and HRV. The sympathovagal imbalance exposes them to cardiovascular morbidities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Kuppusamy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saranya
authors.forename: Gopal Krushna
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Habeebullah
authors.forename: Pravati
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autonomic dysfunctions; cardiovascular risks; obesity; polycystic ovary syndrome; sympathovagal imbalance